Search

Endoscopic bariatric therapies can provide treatment options for obesity in non-surgical candidates, as a part of combination or serial treatment plans, and for the reduction of obesity-related comorbidities. Several complications of intragastric balloons have been documented, but spontaneous hyperinflation is a risk that has not been well reported previously. We describe two cases of spontaneous intragastric balloon hyperinflation and their outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This discussion article presents a critical appraisal of three empirical correlations developed via multiple regression analysis and presented in the Kayabali et al. [Geotech Geol Eng 41:4473–4485, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02527-0] (the Authors') investigation for the determination of the soil consistency limits. Specifically, based solely on British Standard (BS) fall-cone (FC) test data, the Authors purport that the correlations given by Equations 2 and 3 of their paper can be used to predict the ASTM rolling-plate plastic limit (i.e., PLRP), while their Equation 4 can be used to predict the BS FC liquid limit (i.e., LLFC). The Authors demonstrated that these correlations gave good predictions of the measured LLFC and PLRP water contents (i.e., wL(FC) and wP(RP), respectively) for 87 fine-grained soils they sourced from different parts of Central Turkey. Employing newly compiled large and diverse consistency limits databases assembled from the published research literature, this discussion article confirms that the Authors' Equations 2 and 3 generally produce poor wP(RP) predictions for the fine-grained soils comprising these databases, invariably overestimating (often seriously) their measured plastic limit values. Hence, the Discussers recommend that the Authors' Equations 2 and 3 (being generally unreliable beyond the investigated Turkish soils) should not be used in geotechnical engineering practice. While the Authors' single-point LLFC method given by their Equation 4 broadly appears as a good wL(FC) predictor for the newly compiled database soils, it is noted that there already exist well-established and standardised single-point LLFC methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geotechnical engineering relies heavily on predicting soil strength to ensure safe and efficient construction projects. This paper presents a study on the accurate prediction of soil strength properties, focusing on hydrated-lime activated rice husk ash (HARHA) treated soil. To achieve precise predictions, the researchers employed two grey-box machine learning models—classification and regression trees (CART) and genetic programming (GP). These models introduce innovative equations and trees that readers can readily apply to new databases. The models were trained and tested using a comprehensive laboratory database consisting of seven input parameters and three output variables. The results indicate that both the proposed CART trees and GP equations exhibited excellent predictive capabilities across all three output variables—California bearing ratio (CBR), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and resistance value (Rvalue) (according to the in-situ cone penetrometer test). The GP proposed equations, in particular, demonstrated a superior performance in predicting the UCS and Rvalue parameters, while remaining comparable to CART in predicting the CBR. This research highlights the potential of integrating grey-box machine learning models with geotechnical engineering, providing valuable insights to enhance decision-making processes and safety measures in future infrastructural development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shear modulus of granular materials, such as sand, is a fundamental mechanical property that is affected by various factors, including particle shape. Understanding the effects of particle shape on the shear modulus is crucial for predicting the behavior of these materials in various geotechnical applications. This study investigated the effects of particle shape on the secant shear modulus of dry sand through dynamic simple shear testing. Firstly, the monotonic behavior of sand was investigated, and then samples were subjected to cyclic simple shear tests. The latter tests were performed for twelve different testing scenarios, defined by different vertical stresses and cyclic stress ratios (CSRs) in constant-stress and controlled-stress modes. For each scenario, five cyclic tests were performed, with each successive test performed on the same sand reconstructed from its previous cyclic test. A total of 25 randomly selected sand particles, collected before the first, second and fifth tests, were employed to investigate the effects of particle shape on the secant shear modulus. For this purpose, three shape parameters, including roundness, sphericity and regularity, were used to quantify the particle shape characteristics. After each cyclic test, hysteresis loops were established, and the secant shear modulus was determined. Test results indicated that the sand had a dilative behavior and successive cyclic loading negatively affected the shape of the sand particles, with the particles progressively becoming slightly rounded with successive cyclic testing. All three particle shape parameters increased by approximately 5–10%, and as such, the changes in particle shape severely reduced the secant shear modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment options are limited for severe asthma, and the need for additional therapies remains great. Previously, we demonstrated that integrin [α.sub.v][β.sub.6]-deficient mice are protected from airway hyperresponsiveness, due in part to increased expression of the murine ortholog of human chymase. Here, we determined that chymase protects against cytokine-enhanced bronchoconstriction by cleaving fibronectin to impair tension transmission in airway smooth muscle (ASM). Additionally, we identified a pathway that can be therapeutically targeted to mitigate the effects of airway hyperresponsiveness. Administration of chymase to human bronchial rings abrogated IL-13-enhanced contraction, and this effect was not due to alterations in calcium homeostasis or myosin light chain phosphorylation. Rather, chymase cleaved fibronectin, inhibited ASM adhesion, and attenuated focal adhesion phosphorylation. Disruption of integrin ligation with an RGD-containing peptide abrogated IL-13-enhanced contraction, with no further effect from chymase. We identified [α.sub.5][β.sub.1] as the primary fibronectin-binding integrin in ASM, and [α.sub.5][β.sub.1]-specific blockade inhibited focal adhesion phosphorylation and IL-13-enhanced contraction, with no additional effect from chymase. Delivery of an [α.sub.5][β.sub.1] inhibitor into murine airways abrogated the exaggerated bronchoconstriction induced by allergen sensitization and challenge. Finally, [α.sub.5][β.sub.1] blockade enhanced the effect of the bronchodilator isoproterenol on airway relaxation. Our data identify the [α.sub.5][β.sub.1] integrin as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate the severity of airway contraction in asthma., Introduction Severe asthma affects 5% to 10% of the total asthmatic population (1, 2). This subgroup is characterized by poor symptom control including persistent airflow obstruction and recurrent exacerbations, as [...]

This study investigates the effects of sand particle shape, in terms of roundness, sphericity and regularity, on the damping ratio of a dry sand material. Twelve different cyclic simple shear testing scenarios were considered and applied using vertical stresses of 50, 150 and 250 kPa and cyclic stress ratios (CSR) of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 in both constant- and controlled-stress modes. Each testing scenario involved five tests, using the same sand that was reconstructed from its previous cyclic test. On completion of the cyclic tests, corresponding hysteresis loops were established to determine the damping ratio. The results indicated that the minimum and maximum damping ratios for this sand material were 6.9 and 25.5, respectively. It was observed that the shape of the sand particles changed during cyclic loading, becoming progressively more rounded and spherical with an increasing number of loading cycles, thereby resulting in an increase in the damping ratio. The second part of this investigation involved the development of artificial intelligence models, namely an artificial neural network (ANN) and a support vector machine (SVM), to predict the effects of sand particle shape on the damping ratio. The proposed ANN and SVM models were found to be effective in predicting the damping ratio as a function of the particle shape descriptors (i.e., roundness, sphericity and regularity), vertical stress, CSR and number of loading cycles. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the importance of the input variables; the vertical stress and regularity were, respectively, ranked as first and second in terms of importance, while the CSR was found to be the least important parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the cyclic behaviour of a severe dilative silica sand from Rudsar, Northern Iran, through simple shear tests. For this purpose, monotonic (constant volume/vertical stress) and cyclic (constant vertical stress) tests were performed on moist sand specimens prepared at initial relative densities of 20–60%, vertical stresses of 100–300 kPa, and cyclic stress ratios of CSR = 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30. These also included bender element tests to determine the small-strain shear modulus Gmax. An increase in initial relative density, vertical stress and number of loading cycles led to a nonlinear increase in the secant shear modulus Gsec, while the opposite was observed for increasing CSR. Moreover, increasing CSR improved the damping ratio, whereas increasing the initial relative density, vertical stress and/or number of loading cycles had negative effects on the damping ratio. Finally, the bender element test results showed that Gmax increased for increasing vertical stress and initial relative density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intracellular scaffold protein IQGAP1 supports protein complexes in conjunction with numerous binding partners involved in multiple cellular processes. Here, we determined that IQGAP1 modulates airway smooth muscle contractility. Compared with WT controls, at baseline as well as after immune sensitization and challenge, [Iqgap.sup.1-/-] mice had higher airway responsiveness. Tracheal rings from [Iqgap1.sup.-/-] mice generated greater agonist-induced contractile force, even after removal of the epithelium. RhoA, a regulator of airway smooth muscle contractility, was activated in airway smooth muscle lysates from [Iqgap1.sup.-/-] mice. Likewise, knockdown of IQGAP1 in primary human airway smooth muscle cells increased RhoA activity. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that IQGAP1 binds to both RhoA and p190A-RhoGAP, a GTPase-activating protein that normally inhibits RhoA activation. Proximity ligation assays in primary airway human smooth muscle cells and mouse tracheal sections revealed colocalization of p190A-RhoGAP and RhoA; however, these proteins did not colocalize in IQGAP1 knockdown cells or in [Iqgap1.sup.-/-] trachea. Compared with healthy controls, human subjects with asthma had decreased IQGAP1 expression in airway biopsies. Together, these data demonstrate that IQGAP1 acts as a scaffold that colocalizes p190A- RhoGAP and RhoA, inactivating RhoA and suppressing airway smooth muscle contraction. Furthermore, our results suggest that IQGAP1 has the potential to modulate airway contraction severity in acute asthma., Introduction In asthma, smooth muscle contraction leads to airway narrowing and resistance to airflow. Better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate airway smooth muscle contractility is important for the development [...]

This short communication presents some comments on the Journal of Natural Fibers paper titled "Strength and Deformation Behavior of Fine-Grained Soils Reinforced with Hair Fibers and Its Application in Pavement Design." The paper demonstrated the significant improvements in undrained shear strength and stiffness, and CBR value achieved for addition (at 2 wt%) of waste human-hair-fiber (HHF) to Dhanauri Clay and Delhi Silt materials investigated. Considering the proposed application in soil improvement, the paper also examined rigid and flexible pavement design for HHF-reinforced soil subgrade. Various aspects of the original investigation are commented on in this communication, including (i) the apparent poorer compaction behavior (and hence the likely higher compressibility) of the HHF-reinforced soil materials compared to their unreinforced counterparts and (ii) a technical error in the reported consistency/Atterberg limits experimental investigation. Consistency limits testing is synonymous with the soil fraction passing the 425-μm sieve size, such that it is not proper to perform consistency limits testing for HHF-reinforced fine-grained soil samples. The commentary concludes with some recommendations for future studies on soil−HHF mixtures directed at investigating their long-term geotechnical performance as soil subgrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of a sulfonated oil (SO) stabiliser on the swell–shrink properties of an expansive soil were investigated through cyclic wetting–drying tests. The cyclic wetting–drying action led to the reconstruction of the soil microstructure by inducing clay particle aggregation. Accordingly, the greater the number of applied cycles, the lower the swell–shrink potential up to the fourth cycle, beyond which the swelling and shrinkage strains attained elastic equilibrium. At any given cycle, the tendency for swell–shrink reduction was in favour of the SO concentration up to 0·75%, beyond which the excess SO molecules self-associated in the form of aggregates, thereby acting as a 'lubricant' rather than a clay-stabilising agent. As a result of SO treatment, the accumulated axial strain progressively transitioned towards a desirable, 'neutral' state, with 0·75% SO exhibiting the highest resistance against cyclic wetting–drying. For any given SO concentration, the equalised void ratio–moisture content curves for wetting and drying followed the same S-shaped path, further corroborating that the swelling and shrinkage processes, on achieving elastic equilibrium, become reversible. The shrinkage and liquid limits indicated a progressive transition towards a desirable, aggregated fabric, with 0·75% SO identified as the optimum concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The lack of effective antiviral drugs for adenoviruses is one of the most important problems in this area. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical properties and antiviral effect of the green tea extract (GTE) on adenovirus in HEp2 cells in vitro. Methods: In this experimental study, dried leaves of green tea were extracted by maceration. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity of the extract were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride, and 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) colorimetric methods, respectively. The amounts of some phenolic compounds in the extract were also determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The toxicity of the extract on Hep2 cells and antiviral activity of the extract on adenovirus were assessed by the MTT colorimetric method. The half-maximum cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the extract were calculated as well. Results: Phytochemical investigations showed that the IC50 of DPPH radical was 42.1 ± 3.2 μg/mL compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (IC50 of 33.5 ± 3.67 μg/mL). The TPC and TFC of the extract were 74.2 mg GAE/g and 16.3 mg RE/g of the dry extract, respectively. The extract demonstrated the highest amounts of syringic acid, gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and rutin levels (67.27, 20.12, 7.39, and 2.97 mg/g DW, respectively). Based on the results of cell culture, the CC50 and IC50 of GTE were 103.3 μg/mL and 25.16 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: GTE with phenolic and flavonoid compounds can exert dose-dependent inhibitory effects on adenoviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]